A quarterly update on all things Downtown Rock Island

What’s Up Downtown is a quarterly update on all things Downtown Rock Island from Jack Cullen, Executive Director of the Rock Island Downtown Alliance. 

Spring is here, the Rebuild Downtown Rock Island Project is nearing completion and there is no shortage of fun activities for the community to enjoy this season in Downtown Rock Island. 

Here are highlights of some recent wins, exciting business news and upcoming dates to mark on the calendar. 

In February and March, the Downtown Alliance hosted its inaugural Sweetheart Shop Hop and Arts Alley Shamrock Market. Participating businesses reported successful traffic and sales figures and excitement for future promotional opportunities. The owners of Brick and Motor Boutique, for example, said the Sweetheart Shop Hop went over so well, they were "busy the entire day."

When it comes to new businesses, we are welcoming Antojitos Mexican Restaurant, now open at 422 24th Street, the former Acapulco Café. 

Big T Wear Big & Tall Clothing is moving to 217 17th Street, formerly Spellbound; and Afterimage Boutique increased the size of its shop and merchandise next to Lavish Salon and Spa at 1700 2nd Avenue.

Other downtown updates include:

• Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse is presenting its highly-anticipated run of award-winning Chicago the Musical, May 7-July 5. Don't wait to get your tickets, available now at Circa21.com.
• Longtime downtown employer Gas & Electric Credit Union celebrates 90 years in business with a special event 4-7 p.m. Friday, May 9, featuring downtown food and drink vendors Huckleberry’s Great Pizza and Calzones, La Flama Mexican Restaurant and Bent River Brewing Company.
• Speaking of anniversaries, fellow longtime downtown employer Royal Neighbors of America, is celebrating its 130th anniversary this spring. The City of Rock Island in partnership with the Downtown Alliance and Royal Neighbors installed banners celebrating the anniversary around the public parking lot at 3rd Avenue and 16th Street.
• The Downtown Alliance is partnering with Modern Woodmen of America, Quad Cities Bicycle Club and Rock Island Parks to host a Bike to Work Day Breakfast on Friday, May 16. Commuters and supporters may enjoy free coffee and breakfast burritos from QC Coffee and Pancake house from 6-10 a.m. at Schwiebert Riverfront Park, right off the Great River Trail.
• If you have rooftop access in Downtown Rock Island, mark your calendars for May 17 for the unveiling of Evanescent Field, a new public light installation across the Mississippi River at the Figge Art Museum. The display, featuring more than 1,000 full-color LED lights, will come to life about 8:45 p.m. Saturday, May 17. QC Rock Academy’s summer kickoff concert will be taking place at Schwiebert Park that same evening.
• Quad Cities Chalk Art Fest returns to the riverfront May 31-June 1. Our friends at Quad City Arts do a phenomenal job presenting this street art festival featuring live outdoor music, food and drink vendors, children’s activities and more.

The City’s Rebuild Downtown Rock Island Project hit the one-year anniversary mark April 15, and Valley Construction is ramping up above-ground improvements. As part of the project, crews installed five new sidewalk patios in front of establishments, and five more are slated to go up later this spring. The Downtown Alliance is offering businesses throughout downtown a rebate of up to $1,000 for purchasing new exterior-grade patio furniture and accessories. Please contact us to learn more about this program.

In case you missed it, Rebuild Downtown was named Project of the Year by the Indiana, Illinois, Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting, and the Downtown Alliance was recognized as the Project Advocate.

Last, but not least, a big shoutout to the volunteers at Royal Neighbors and Modern Woodmen of America for stepping up to help our downtown Ambassadors with some spring cleanup and planting projects. Corporate stewardship like this helps keep our downtown clean and beautiful. The Downtown Alliance has another volunteer opportunity the week of May 12. In partnership with Rock Island Parks & Recreation, we are seeking volunteers to help us fill the downtown street planters with flowers. Please contact us to get involved.

Stay tuned for an announcement soon on some summer activities coming to the newly constructed and renovated public spaces in the heart of Downtown Rock Island.